Stallion Laguna’s AWCL run lifts Philippine football

Stallion Laguna FC bowed out of the 2025–26 AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals with a 0–5 loss to Japanese powerhouse Tokyo Verdy Beleza on March 28 at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, but the Philippine Football Federation said the club’s run still marked a historic breakthrough for women’s football in the country.

Stallion became the first Filipino women’s club to reach the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Champions League, a milestone that placed the 2024 PFF Women’s Cup champion among Asia’s top eight clubs and underscored the steady rise of Philippine women’s football on the continental stage.

The achievement carried added weight because the 2025–26 AFC Women’s Champions League expanded to a record 19 teams, with Stallion advancing into the knockout stage from a wider and more competitive field in Asia’s premier women’s club competition.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said Stallion’s first international campaign reflected the progress the sport has made in the Philippines.

“Stallion Laguna FC’s historic run to the AFC Women’s Champions League quarterfinals is a testament to the growing strength and competitiveness of Philippine women’s football on the continental stage,” Gutierrez said.

“Their achievement is a testament of the hard work of all those who have contributed to the rise of Philippine women’s football, inspiring the next generation of Filipina footballers to compete and succeed against Asia’s very best.”

Stallion built its quarterfinal run on a strong preliminary-round campaign in August 2025, when it defeated Khovd Western of Mongolia, 6–1, and Strykers FC of Guam, 13–0, before absorbing a 1–3 result against ISPE of Myanmar.

The Filipina side then advanced to the group stage in November 2025 and faced tougher opposition, including a narrow 0–1 defeat to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and a meeting with Australia’s Melbourne City.

Stallion sealed its place in the quarterfinals with a 5–0 win over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors and progressed as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.

Against Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Stallion stayed organized for much of the first half behind goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel and defenders Phyu Phwe, Miamour Mesa, Valeria Rios, and Kenna Davidson.

Tokyo Verdy Beleza, the reigning Japan WE League champions, finally broke through in the 41st minute through 20-year-old Moka Hiwatari before adding four more goals in the second half.

The AFC’s official match report said Nanmi Kitamura scored in the 48th minute, Hikaro Naomoto added another in the 71st, Miyu Matsunaga made it four in the 82nd, and Rihona Ujihara struck the fifth with four minutes left.

Even in defeat, Olivia McDaniel stood out with 16 saves on Tokyo Verdy Beleza’s shots on goal, highlighting the pressure Stallion absorbed against one of the continent’s most accomplished sides.

Team captain Chandler McDaniel, who finished as Stallion’s leading scorer with 11 goals throughout the tournament, said the match against Japan’s top-tier opposition showed both how far the club has come and how much room it still has to grow.

“Coming into this game we knew that Japan was going to be a very good team… I thought we did really well still. At the end of the day we’re still just a really small team from the Philippines so to be able to play against a team like Japan is always a great opportunity. I’m really proud of all the girls for showing up,” McDaniel said.

She added that the quarterfinal appearance remained a point of pride for the squad.

“Of course the result isn’t what we wanted but we’ve come all the way to the quarterfinals as a whole team and still competed. We’re still very happy with the results and there’s always room to grow,” the Filipinas standout added.

The quarterfinal exit ended Stallion’s campaign, but not the Philippines’ continental club season.

The PFF said Manila Digger will next face Cambodian side PKR Svay Rieng on April 9 in Phnom Penh and April 16 at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila as it vies for a place in the AFC Challenge League final.

The federation also urged fans to continue backing Philippine clubs in international play and in domestic competitions such as the Philippines Football League, PFF Women’s League, PFF Futsaliga, and the upcoming PFF National U16–U19 Championships this summer.